Designs complete for upgrade

THE new-look Bruce Highway, between Sankeys and Traveston roads near Gympie, will feature one great big intersection near the existing Traveston Crossing Rd for motorists to exit and enter the highway.

All the design work for Section B of the highway upgrade has now been completed.

Asphalt is currently being laid on the dual lanes at Coles Creek.

But the Department of Transport and Main Roads is refusing to release details on when traffic will be switched over to this new section or a design of what the new Coles Creek intersection will look like.

This week Gympie Council's director of engineering services, Bob Fredman, said the council had copies of the designs, but it was up to the department to release it.

He was, however, able to describe what it will look like.

Drivers heading north will be able to exit to the left onto a new Mary Valley connection road, yet to be named, and either head left to the Valley or right over the highway on a purpose-built bridge to head to Traveston. Traffic heading south will be able to exit off to the left and head to Traveston, or go right over the highway on the bridge to get to the Mary Valley.

The connection road will join the Mary Valley Highway somewhere near the existing Dobson Rd intersection and will be almost parallel to Traveston Crossing Rd.

A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesman said design drawings would be available soon.